On another note, I'm reading The Bible: A Biography by Karen Armstrong. I want to talk about it, but I can't decide whether or not to start with the fact that I feel like it was written for a five year old, or just skip to the part where she makes claims about changes made to the Bible, without citing where she got this information from. Maybe she's right, but her just stating it doesn't make it so....
Also, Susanne, I keep trying to make your video post, but it keeps not coming out to my satisfaction. Sorry...
Also, wth, Unnatural History. I *realize* that you're a kids show (lets not talk about why I'm watching it, okay?), but if WonderBoy could scale that shaft, why, pray tell, did they waste time looking for a ladder in the first place? When he could have just scaled the shaft and put the ladder back that the bad guy moved and yet conveniently left right there, beside the shaft.
ALSO: One should not watch movies about possession and demons and exorcism when there is a storm, right before one goes to bed. Just for the record. Not that I know anyone who did that and is now debating whether or not to turn off her lights and go to bed...
Hurray! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI have a Karen Armstrong book somewhere...I don't remember which one. I keep meaning to read it and never actually do. I did actually read one of her books...a biography of Muhammad or intro to Islam in which I only read about Muhammad. It was a little simplistic and I kind of wasted my time because it was for a project and I didn't feel like it was serious enough to be used as a source. Interesting info, definitely written for casual readers who aren't interested in detailed research.
LOL @ the last paragraph. I had to make myself stop watching Ghost Hunters for a similar reason.
YAY -45!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think her books are meant to be simple. At least, that is the impression I have gotten. And yes, she is bad at sighting her sources.
First, huge congrats on the weight loss! That's really wonderful! Yay for some frozen yogurt as a treat!
ReplyDeleteSecond, I'm always interested in your thoughts on books and stuff. That's why my blog has been missing your input the last two weeks.
Third, keep trying on the video! :D OK, a picture will do as a verrrrrrrrry distant second option. But I really love the animated Amber of her videos. So, keep trying. :)
Fourth, I won't ask why you are watching a kids' show.
Fifth, LOL @ "that one" who is too scared to go to sleep! I hope that one finally was able to rest and is not walking around like a zombie today. Heheheheeee.
sanil,
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Yeah, I've always viewed her as a very shallow, basic sort of overview, from which one might get a general idea, and then delve into more detailed work in a specific direction. Admittedly, it's been a while since I've read any of her stuff, but this book seems very, very dumbed down. Really, written for a 5 year old. I'm not happy. And her citations are practically nonexistent! Explain where you got a bloody thought already!
Hee! Ghost Hunters doesn't bother me, but there are certain movies that I really should know better than to watch around bedtime!
LK,
ReplyDeleteThanks!
It's not just that she's bad at citing sources, but she makes statements and her citation goes back to one verse out of the Bible. No explanation of how she reached the conclusion that that verse means what she says it means, especially when her interpretation goes against the understanding of, well, pretty much everyone.
Susanne,
ReplyDeleteFirst, thanks! Frozen yogurt is yummy!
Second, I should be around more. Back into the groove with work and all.
Third, will do Captain Awesome! :)
Fourth, it actually ties in with the unnamed 'one' of #5. Trying to think happy thoughts, you know...
Fifth, not *scared*, so much as *concerned.* But she did get sleep, thanks.
Congrats on hitting -45! Wow, I'm impressed!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to read your review. I liked her history of Muhammad but she seems confused to me. It felt like she wanted to stop believing in Christianity and start believing in Islam but her inquiry was making it hard for her to accept Islam (basically Muhammad) as true.
I would still like that people study a religion before accepting it like you did because most convert first and study later and are too ashamed to leave a second religion just because they were wrong in jumping head first. That is why there are intolerant converts in every religion because they are fighting the internal demons of cognitive dissonance as well.
And I digress...
Demons and stormy nights :)
I was just asked to type the word for verification - Sperm! WTF??
Suroor,
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I'll be writting about the book, though I don't know how much anyone'll get out of it. It's not a very long book, really.
I've enjoyed her work in the past, so this book is really a disappointment for me. I picked it up expecting to like it, and so far, no joy.
She does seem to be *extremely* drawn to Islam, as far as I can see, though she is an avowed agnostic.
Heh. I think we get caught up in the moment, and how something makes us feel, and jump. It's only afterward that we feel like we have the time to learn. And I agree, I think that's what causes so many intolerant or extremely rigid converts in religions.
'Demons and stormy nights.'
The go well together, don't they?
Oooh...the word verification is weird...
WOW 45! You have really come a long way, I'm super impressed! It's difficult to make a lifestyle change and keep it up. :)
ReplyDeleteCandice,
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I've still got a long way to go, but I'm getting there! :)